5 ways to get a headstart on performance appraisals

One must keep in mind that the entire year’s performance depends on this process and all measures must be taken to ensure that all goes well.

It is that time of the year when most organisations kick off the performance appraisal of their employees. One must keep in mind that the entire year’s performance depends on this process and all measures must be taken to ensure that all goes well. Prachi Verma Dadhwal brings you five ways to get a headstart on performance appraisal.

1. Set Targeted GoalsSet goals based on your strengths. “Millennials and Gen Z seek a new approach that instantly tells them what their strengths are and how they can leverage to perform at their best. This approach will give a good strategical dive into performance appraisal culture,” says Vipul Singh, head of HR, CSR and communications at ADP.

2. Appraise Yourself“Using self-appraisal provides a useful opportunity for the employees to identify what they are good at and look for more ways to get better at them,” says Singh. As a result, employees can make informed decisions about their performance development planning and prepare for their appraisal meetings with the managers, he says.

3. Conversations HelpAn employee should be open to hearing out the team leader. “Effective performance appraisals happen when manager and employee exchange thoughts,” says Singh. “Offer inputs more as feedforward than just feedback. They are easier to give, easier to accept and best to work upon,” says Prabir Jha, global chief people officer, Cipla.

4. Don’t CompareTry not to compare your individual performance with others. It is best to compare your performance with your own in the previous year for the assessment. “The results will be fruitful only when the current performance is compared with their previous performance and not amongst the peers,” says Singh.

5. Insist On Feedback“Ask for reverse feedback from your appraiser. It feels more fair and level playing and builds greater trust and transparency,” says Jha.